I love open shelving for adding extra style and storage to empty walls and the simplicity of these DIY wood shelf brackets makes them a good fit for any decor style. Let me show you how to make your own!
– Reclaimed wood or a 2″ x 10″ common board– 2″ x 2″ furring strip– 1″ x 2″ pine common board– 100-grit sandpaper– Wood glue– Finishing nails– Paint or stain of your choice – 2½” screws– Tape measure– Pencil– Miter saw– Hammer– Drill and drill bits– Level
Cut a 2″ x 2″ board to 7.5″. Cut a second piece to 6″ To make the final side of the shelf brackets, use a miter saw to cut the 1″x2″ board to 5.5″ long, with a 45-degree angle cut along each side
You can either paint or stain your shelf brackets. I decided to paint my shelf brackets with a weathered paint technique so the gorgeous reclaimed wood of my shelves would stand out more.
Start by painting the shelf brackets white. Sand them to reveal some of the raw wood focusing on the edges and corners.
Using a clean rag, wipe dark stain all over the bracket to cover all of the exposed edges. Use a second clean rag dipped in mineral spirits to wipe away all of the excess stain.
Pretty much any sturdy wood will work for your actual shelves. You can also use common board or even buy wood specifically marketed as ‘shelf board’ and have it cut to size in the store.
Start by predrilling holes through your shelf brackets where the screws will go. Use a large drill bit to notch out a larger area at the very beginning of each hole.
This creates a pocket for the screw-head to fit in so that it is flush with the wood.
Drill one hole straight through the bottom of the shelf bracket and one diagonally through the top and back of the bracket. Use a level when hanging your shelves to make sure they are perfectly straight.